Device for scraping debris from metal wire

Abstract

A device and related method for removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant is provided. The device includes at least two segments forming a passage through which the wire passes, each having a leading edge for stripping debris from the wire, and a resilient member positioned around the at least two segments and applying a force to the segments sufficient to cause contact between the leading edges and the wire passing through the passage. The method broadly includes the steps of moving the metal wire through a passage formed by a plurality of segments, contacting the wire moving through the passage using a leading edge of each of the plurality of segments, and applying a force to the plurality of segments to cause contact between the leading edge of each of the plurality of segments and the wire passing through the passage.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant comprising the steps of:
 moving the metal wire through a passage formed by at least two segments; 
 contacting the metal wire moving through the passage using a leading edge of each of the at least two segments; and 
 applying a force to the at least two segments using a resilient member to cause contact between the leading edge of each of the at least two segments and the metal wire passing through the passage, wherein first and second ends of the resilient member are connected to create the force applied to the at least two segments. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of moving the metal wire through at least one straightener following the step of moving the metal wire through the passage formed by the at least two segments. 
     
     
       3. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 2 , wherein the moving step includes pulling the metal wire from a roll of metal wire through the at least one straightener and the passage formed by the at least two segments. 
     
     
       4. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 2 , wherein the passage formed by the at least two segments is fixed in position such that the metal wire moving through the passage is moving substantially horizontal. 
     
     
       5. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of collecting the debris removed from the metal wire in a container positioned beneath the leading edges of the at least two segments. 
     
     
       6. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two segments form a substantially tubular passage. 
     
     
       7. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 1 , wherein the leading edge of each of the at least two segments substantially conforms to an outer diameter of the wire. 
     
     
       8. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of each of the at least two segments substantially conforms to an outer diameter of the wire. 
     
     
       9. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 8 , wherein the inner surface of each of the at least two segments is a wear resistant material attached to each of the at least two segments. 
     
     
       10. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 1 , wherein the leading edge is in the shape of one of a small radius, a large radius, substantially no radius, a positive break, or a negative break. 
     
     
       11. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 1 , wherein the metal wire includes an outer protective coating and the force applied to the at least two segments is insufficient to scrape the outer protective coating from the wire. 
     
     
       12. A method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant comprising the steps of:
 moving the metal wire through a passage formed by at least two segments; 
 contacting the metal wire moving through the passage using a leading edge of each of the at least two segments; and 
 applying a force to the at least two segments using a resilient member to cause contact between the leading edge of each of the at least two segments and the metal wire passing through the passage, wherein the resilient member is one of a spring clamp, a snap ring, an O-ring, a spring, or an elastic band. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of moving the metal wire through at least one straightener following the step of moving the metal wire through the passage formed by the at least two segments. 
     
     
       14. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 13 , wherein the moving step includes pulling the metal wire from a roll of metal wire through the at least one straightener and the passage formed by the at least two segments. 
     
     
       15. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 12 , wherein the passage formed by the at least two segments is fixed in position such that the metal wire moving through the passage is moving substantially horizontal. 
     
     
       16. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of collecting the debris removed from the metal wire in a container positioned beneath the leading edges of the at least two segments. 
     
     
       17. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 12 , wherein the at least two segments form a substantially tubular passage. 
     
     
       18. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 12 , wherein the leading edge of each of the at least two segments substantially conforms to an outer diameter of the wire. 
     
     
       19. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 12 , wherein an inner surface of each of the at least two segments is a wear resistant material and substantially conforms to an outer diameter of the wire. 
     
     
       20. The method of removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant of  claim 12 , wherein the leading edge is in the shape of one of a small radius, a large radius, substantially no radius, a positive break, or a negative break.